TABLE OF CONTENTS

to overhaul aging sensors, network sensors to enable data sharing and dissemination
timeliness, and improve the tactics, techniques, and procedures required to integrate
space surveillance into command and control operations at the Joint Space Operations
Center. Regardless, AFSPC is projecting a shortfall in our ability to characterize objects
in deep space and in SSA at the end of the mid-term planning cycle in 2020. This
research paper recommends a few strategy refinements and a key technology investment
necessary to erase these shortfalls.
The strategy refinements include: seeking out more contributing sensors,
establishing a layered network to free up dedicated sensors to monitor high interest
objects and respond to events, using all means to erase the “lost” object list, switching
some SSA missions from persistent to routine for the sake of reducing cost and
complexity, and using the network as a teammate (rather than just a data provider)
capable of sharing in the decision-making. This paper recommends investment in
artificial cognition technology and improving the pertinence of such investment by
creating a decision support team to “train” the computer at the Maui High Power
Computing Center.
Investment in artificial intelligence is pertinent to many other mission areas
including cruise missile defense, defensive counter space, responsive logistics, integrated
battlefield ISR, and defensive counter air. The bottom line is that due to information
overload and reduced battlefield timelines, each mission area must look for the right mix
of artificial and human cognition to be prepared for the battlefield of 2025.
Recommendations: 1) To reduce the size of the catalog of lost space objects,
establish a reward system for private sector actors who locate lost spacecraft. Also,